More people doze off at the wheel of a car in the early morning or mid-afternoon than in the evening. True or False

Answers to the Sleep Savvy Quiz.

1. False. Although it is a time when your body rests and restores its energy
levels, sleep is an active state that affects both your physical and mental
well-being. Adequate restful sleep, like diet and exercise, is critical to good
health. Insufficient restful sleep can result in mental and physical health
problems and possibly premature death.

2. True. Many people doze off unintentionally during the day despite getting
their usual night of sleep. This could be a sign of a sleep disorder.
Approximately 40 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders, including sleep
apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy, and restless legs syndrome. An untreated sleep
disorder can reduce your daytime productivity, increase your risk of accidents,
and put you at risk for illness and even early death.

3. True. Persistent loud snoring at night and daytime sleepiness are the main
symptoms of a common and serious sleep disorder, sleep apnea. Another symptom is
frequent long pauses in breathing during sleep, followed by choking and gasping
for breath. People with sleep apnea don't get enough restful sleep, and their
daytime performance is often seriously affected. Sleep apnea may also lead to
hypertension, heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. However, it can be
treated, and the sleep apnea patient can live a normal life.

4. False. Opening the car window or turning the radio up may arouse a drowsy
driver briefly, but this won't keep that person alert behind the wheel. Even
mild drowsiness is enough to reduce concentration and reaction time. The
sleep-deprived driver may nod off for a couple of seconds at a time without even
knowing it--enough time to kill himself or someone else. It has been estimated
that drowsy driving may account for an average of 56,000 reported accidents each
year--claiming over 1,500 lives.

5. True. People with narcolepsy fall asleep uncontrollably --at any time of
the day, in all types of situations-- regardless of the amount or quality of
sleep they've had the night before. Narcolepsy is characterized by these
"sleep attacks," as well as by daytime sleepiness, episodes of muscle
weakness or paralysis, and disrupted nighttime sleep. Although there is no known
cure, medications and behavioral treatments can control symptoms, and people
with narcolepsy can live normal lives.

6. False. Insomnia has many different causes, including physical and mental
conditions and stress. Insomnia is the perception that you don't get enough
sleep because you can't fall asleep or stay asleep or get back to sleep once
you've awakened during the night. It affects people of all ages, usually for
just an occasional night or two, but sometimes for weeks, months, or even years.
Because insomnia can become a chronic problem, it is important to get it
diagnosed and treated if it persists for more than a month.